National Museum of Korean Literature Signs MOU with Korea Classical Translation Institute... "Jeong Yak-yong's Poetry Collection to Be Translated and Published Next Year"

Joining Hands to Promote the Value of Classical Literature
Translation and Publication of Jeong Yak-yong's "Takpiso-go" Set for Next Year

The National Museum of Korean Literature and the Korea Classical Translation Institute are collaborating to translate and publish a collection of poems by Dasan Jeong Yak-yong as a book next year.

Director Moon Junghee of the National Museum of Korean Literature (left) and Director Kim Eonjong of the Korea Classic Literature Translation Institute, who signed a business agreement on the 16th. Provided by the National Museum of Korean Literature

On September 16, the two institutions announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote the value of classical literature and would jointly translate and publish Jeong Yak-yong's poetry collection, "Takpiso-go."

"Takpiso-go" is a book containing poems and writings exchanged between Jeong Yak-yong and the monk Hyejang during Jeong’s exile in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do. It is believed to have been transcribed around 1862. The title "Takpi" means "bamboo bark" and was a pen name Jeong Yak-yong used during his time in Gangjin.

Takpisogo, a collection of poems by Jeong Yak-yong. Provided by the National Museum of Korean Literature

The book includes various stories reflecting the lives of the time, such as the account of a young woman who married a visually impaired man.

The National Museum of Korean Literature plans to publish the translated "Takpiso-go" as the third volume in its Korean Literature Materials Series next year, once the Korea Classical Translation Institute completes the translation. The Korean Literature Materials Series is a collection of rare Korean literary works published by the museum.

Under this business agreement, the two institutions will cooperate in research and content development through joint use of materials, discovery and translation of literary works, joint academic research and symposiums, and the development of educational programs to nurture professional talent.

Moon Junghee, Director of the National Museum of Korean Literature, stated, "By translating Korean classical literature into modern language, we have created an opportunity for everyone to read these works. The two institutions will work together to widely promote the excellence of Korean classical literature to global readers and provide foundational resources for the development of K-content."